Tuesday, September 14, 1999 Published at 01:28 GMT 02:28 UKWorld: AmericasPicture Gallery: Preparing for Hurricane FloydThe south-eastern coast of the United States is preparing for a powerful hurricane developing in the Atlantic.

Hurricane Floyd, seen here in a satellite picture, has been declared a category-four storm, just one below the most dangerous level.

Residents in towns across the state of Florida have been boarding up their windows and preparing to evacuate.

A state of emergency has been declared in the state by Governor Jeb Bush.

Members of the 45th Space Wing at Florida's Patrick Air Force Base boarded up the fire station in anticipation of strong winds.

Meanwhile in the Bahamas capital, Nassau, residents queued up at supermarkets to stock up on essential supplies.

In the United States, municipal workers secured the windows of the City Hall in Charleston, South Carolina.